technology in business plan example

• Starting a Business
• Growing a Business
• Business News
• Science & Technology
• Money & Finance
• Green Entrepreneur
• Subscribers For Subscribers
• Store Entrepreneur Store
• Spotlight Spotlight
• United States
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East
• South Africa

Copyright © 2023 Entrepreneur Media, LLC All rights reserved. Entrepreneur® and its related marks are registered trademarks of Entrepreneur Media LLC

What Technology to Include In Your Business Plan Listing tech infrastructure, software, and digital tools showcases your ability to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.

By Entrepreneur Staff • Oct 27, 2023

Whatever business you are in, technology most likely plays a key role. Retailers place their orders faster and more accurately using computers and track their inventory, while other business owners make international deals thanks to computers and communication technology.

Other key technology that fits into your operations, such as that of a medical equipment manufacturer, should be included in the business plan. Explain how this technology is significant to your business and how it can separate you from your competitors.

How much detail should you include about the technology you employ? We're living in a highly technical environment. That means you should explain some of the key technology that comes into play during your operations—in lay terms. You need to go into greater detail only if your business relies heavily on technology, sells technology, or utilizes some unique technology that is uncommon in your industry.

A note of caution

Stay up on technology, but also be careful. There are numerous ways unscrupulous folks can tap into intellectual property, such as recorded music or films. It is harder than ever to catch those who pirate—or steal—such protected properties. But if you are caught, you can get in real trouble. So be careful not to inadvertently use other people's music, images, and so on. Conversely, protect intellectual properties, and if you see your original material showing up elsewhere, contact an attorney.

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor's Pick Red Arrow

• Shark Tank's Most Successful Brand of All Time Wasn't Even Supposed to Be a Business at First. Here's How It Became One With $1 Billion in Lifetime Revenue .
• Lock Daylight Saving Time Annoys a Lot of People — But Not If They Work in These 3 Industries That Benefit Most From the Change
• This Marine Turned Around Two Businesses Through Exceptional Leadership . Now They're Approaching a Combined $1 Million in Revenue.
• Lock Struggling With Productivity? You Just Need to Give Yourself Fewer Options .
• Lock 5 Ways to Be Generous While Still Being a Frugal Business Owner
• What Expert Mountaineers Can Teach You About Accomplishing Your Most Daunting Tasks

Related Topics Red Arrow

Most popular red arrow, 'i was unable to breathe': american airlines flight attendants awarded over $1 million after jury finds uniforms contained toxic chemicals that made them sick.

American Airlines had switched to the new uniforms in 2016.

How Being Intentional and Focusing on a Specific Niche Can Lead to Greater Success for Your Business

Deep audience connections are outperforming broad strategies. Here's how.

Meet Grok: Elon Musk Unveils 'Spicy' AI Chatbot Riddled With 'Sarcasm' and 'Humor'

Grok is in an early beta phase.

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.

Tyson Is Recalling Nearly 30,000 Pounds of Dinosaur-Shaped Chicken Nuggets Over Contamination Concerns

The recall comes after consumers reportedly found metal pieces.

4 Surefire Ways to Be Exceptional With Your Customer Care

The better you are to your customers, the better they are to you. Here's how this lesson translates to business and why you should do the same.

Successfully copied link

Technology Business Plan Template

Technology business plan.

You’ve come to the right place to create your own Technology business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Technology businesses.

Technology Business Plan Example & Template

Below is a Technology business plan template and sample to help you create each section of your own business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Kearney Tech Inc., located in Houston, Texas is a tech startup that focuses on developing and commercializing new artificial intelligence (AI) technology applications designed for small-to-medium sized businesses. The company has created proprietary technology that helps businesses improve their profitability by using AI to increase customer engagement. We offer multiple products, including AI hardware, marketing AI software, and CRM AI software. Many of our most basic services are free, but the rest can be accessed by paying a subscription fee. By providing flexible and affordable subscription options for our clients, Kearney Tech Inc. aims to be the next big technology company in the AI space for small and medium-sized businesses.

Kearney Tech Inc. was founded and is led by Abigail Kearney. Abigail has been a senior software engineer for nearly 10 years and has extensive experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning. In addition to her experience, she has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and an MBA. Her education and experience are sure to lead Kearney Tech Inc. to success.

Product Offering

Kearney Tech Inc. will showcase a variety of different applications for its AI technology that companies can utilize to increase their customer engagement from day one. Businesses can choose the platform package that works for them, based on a freemium subscription pricing structure.

The following are the services that Kearney Tech Inc. will provide:

• AI Hardware
• Marketing AI Software
• Customer Relationship Management AI Software
• Customer Support AI Software
• Technology Training: Training sessions on how to use our AI solutions and integrate them into their businesses

Customer Focus

Kearney Tech Inc. will serve small to medium-sized businesses within a 30-mile radius of Houston, Texas. Many of the businesses in our target demographic are startups looking to expand their reach and thus would benefit from technology that can increase their customer base.

Management Team

Kearney Tech Inc. will also employ an experienced assistant to work as a business analyst and help with various administrative duties around the office. She will also hire several developers, salesmen, and other administrative staff to assist her.

Success Factors

Kearney Tech Inc. will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Management: Abigail Kearney has been extremely successful working in the technology industry and will be able to use her previous experience to provide the best service experience. Her unique qualifications will serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than Kearney Tech Inc.’s competitors.
• Relationships: Abigail Kearney knows many of the local leaders, business managers, and other influencers within Houston, Texas. With her 10 years of experience and good relationships with business leaders in the area, she will be able to develop an initial client base.
• Proprietary technology : The company has developed proprietary AI technology that will be used to add new data sources, expand on valuable insights, launch advanced features like benchmarking, provide predictive and prescriptive analytics, and ensure self-guided data discovery.
• Client-oriented service: Kearney Tech Inc. will have full-time customer service and sales managers to keep in contact with clients and answer their everyday questions.

Financial Highlights

Kearney Tech Inc. is seeking a total funding of $400,000 of debt capital to open its office. The funding will be dedicated to office design, software development, marketing, and working capital. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Office design/build: $50,000
• Software development: $150,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $25,000
• Working capital: $25,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Kearney Tech Inc.:

Company Overview

Who is kearney tech inc..

Abigail began researching what it would take to create her own technology company and did a thorough analysis of the costs, market, demographics, and competition. Abigail has compiled enough information to develop her business plan in order to approach investors.

Kearney Tech Inc.’s History

Once her market analysis was complete, Abigail Kearney began surveying the local vacant office space and located an ideal location to house the technology company. Abigail Kearney incorporated Kearney Tech Inc. as a Limited Liability Corporation in April 2023.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

• Located available office space for rent
• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
• Determined equipment and necessary supplies
• Began recruiting key employees

Kearney Tech Inc. Services

Industry analysis.

As of 2021, the global technology industry was valued at approximately $5.2T. Of all countries worldwide, the United States currently has the largest technology market, with 32% of the market share at $1.7T. The technology industry in the U.S. accounts for a large part of the nation’s economy.

The Information Technology market can be segmented by categories such as software, devices, infrastructure IT and business services, emerging technology, and telecom services. In the United States, IT and business services hold the greatest market share (30%), followed by software (20%) and telecom services (20%).

Market drivers include the economy, employment rates, and the digital transformation of daily life for a growing number of people and businesses worldwide. Corporations and organizations are seeking IT service providers that can help improve their software, cybersecurity, data, and infrastructure. Technology companies that can provide products and services that cater to these issues can be competitive in the constantly evolving market.

Technology is an integral part of society. Developments in AI and machine learning are essential to keep society moving forward and make businesses more efficient. Therefore, businesses will always be in need of AI solutions to bring in more customers and streamline their services and products. According to Market Watch, the Technology industry is set to grow at a CAGR of 25.73% from now until 2027. Very few industries see this growth, which shows how much demand there is for technological solutions. Therefore, we expect Kearney Tech Inc. to see great success in our local market.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Kearney Tech Inc. will serve the small and medium-sized businesses of Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas.

Many small businesses in the community are startups or established enterprises looking to expand their reach and thus would benefit from technology that can increase their customer engagement.

Customer Segmentation

Kearney Tech Inc. will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Small businesses
• Medium-sized businesses

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Kearney Tech Inc. will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.  

Tekuserv has been a reliable technology company in Houston, Texas for more than fifteen years. The company is known for its wide range of technology solutions that serve many small-to-medium-sized businesses. With its large number of experts focused on delivering customer satisfaction, the organization maintains its high standard of developing quality products and providing exceptional customer service. Tekuserv provides business software on a freemium subscription basis. It develops enterprise technology solutions with a focus on customer relationship management.  

Prime AI Business Solutions

Prime AI Business Solutions is a technology development company in Houston, Texas. In business for several years, the company has developed highly-rated AI solutions used by many well-known businesses in a variety of industries. Prime AI Business Solutions now offers a range of AI hardware and software products geared toward helping businesses of all sizes increase their customer base. The company has also introduced a “pay-as-you-grow” pricing model that scales to provide users with more support as they scale up.  

AICE Developments

AICE stands for Artificial Intelligence for Customer Engagement. AICE Developments is also a local technology company that manufactures and distributes a variety of technology products. AICE Developments was established in 2009 in Houston, Texas, providing integrated AI applications and platform services. Its products include applications and infrastructure offerings delivered through various IT deployment models, including on-premise deployments, cloud-based deployments, and hybrid deployments. The company serves automotive, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, retail, utilities, construction, etc. It provides AI solutions for enterprise marketing and customer engagement.

Competitive Advantage

Kearney Tech Inc. will be able to offer the following advantages over the competition:

• Proprietary technology: The company has developed proprietary AI technology that will be used to add new data sources, expand on valuable insights, launch advanced features like benchmarking, provide predictive and prescriptive analytics, and ensure self-guided data discovery.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Kearney Tech Inc. will offer a unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Service built on long-term relationships
• Big-firm expertise in a small-firm environment
• Thorough knowledge of the clients and their varying needs
• Proprietary technology developed by skilled software engineers

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Kearney Tech Inc. is as follows:

Kearney Tech Inc. understands that the best promotion comes from satisfied customers. The company will encourage its clients to refer other businesses by providing economic or financial incentives for every new client produced. This strategy will increase in effectiveness after the business has already been established.

Social Media

Kearney Tech Inc. will invest heavily in a social media advertising campaign. The brand manager will create the company’s social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. It will use targeted marketing to appeal to the target demographics.

Website/SEO

Kearney Tech Inc. will invest heavily in developing a professional website that displays all of the features and benefits of the technology company. It will also invest heavily in SEO so that the brand’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Direct Mail

Kearney Tech Inc. will blanket businesses with direct mail pieces. These pieces will provide general information on Kearney Tech Inc., offer discounts, and/or provide other incentives for companies to use the AI platform.

Kearney Tech Inc.’s pricing will be on par with competitors so clients feel they receive great value when purchasing the technology.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Kearney Tech Inc.:

Operation Functions:

• Abigail Kearney will be the Owner and CEO of the company. She will oversee all the operations and executive functions of the company. In the beginning, she will also provide customer support and market/sell AI products to potential clients.
• Abigail will employ an experienced assistant to work as a business analyst and help with various administrative duties around the office.
• Abigail will also hire several developers to maintain and develop AI products and services.
• Abigail will also hire a solid sales team to sell our products to potential clients. As the company grows, she will also hire a team that is solely dedicated to customer service.

Milestones:

Kearney Tech Inc. will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

5/2023 – Finalize lease agreement

6/2023 – Design and build out Kearney Tech Inc.

7/2023 – Hire and train initial staff

8/2023 – Kickoff of promotional campaign

9/2023 – Launch Kearney Tech Inc.

10/2023 – Reach break-even

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

Kearney Tech Inc.’s revenues will come primarily from its technology solution subscription sales. The company will use a freemium subscription model, in which basic functions can be used by any company for free. Additional solutions and support will be available in a tiered package model based on the enterprises’ size and the number of users.

The office lease, equipment, supplies, and labor expenses will be the key cost drivers of Kearney Tech Inc. Ongoing marketing expenditures are also notable cost drivers for Kearney Tech Inc.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Average number of clients per month
• Annual rent: $20,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, technology business plan faqs, what is a technology business plan.

A technology business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your technology business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections. You can easily complete your Technology business plan using our Technology Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Technology Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of technology businesses, some examples include: Network technology, Software technology, and Customer relationship technology.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Technology Business Plan?

Technology businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Technology Business?

Starting a technology business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Technology Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed technology business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your technology business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your technology business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Technology Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your technology business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your technology business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Technology Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your technology business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your technology business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Learn more about how to start a successful Technology business: How to Start a Tech Company

IT Services Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

IT Services Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their IT companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating an IT business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a IT business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your IT business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start an IT business or grow your existing IT company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your IT business to improve your chances of success. Your IT business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for IT Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for an IT business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for IT companies.

How to Write a Business Plan for a IT Services Business

If you want to start an IT business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your IT business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of IT business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have an IT business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of IT businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the IT industry.
• Discuss the type of IT business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of IT business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of IT businesses:

• Computer repair: This type of IT business provides computer maintenance and repair services.
• Computer training: This type of IT professional specializes in teaching others how to use computers as well as various software and computer programs.
• IT support: This type of IT professional provides services for businesses such as setting up a network, backing up data, and systems management.
• Cloud computing: This type of IT specialist helps individuals and businesses establish cloud platforms and tools, or may help to migrate their information to the cloud.

In addition to explaining the type of IT business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of new clients served, the number of repeat clients, reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the IT industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the IT industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your IT business plan:

• How big is the IT industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your IT business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your IT business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of IT business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

Finish Your IT Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other IT businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of IT consultants, in-house IT support, or do-it-yourself IT tutorials. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of IT business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for clients to acquire your product or service?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a IT business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of IT company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide cloud computing, data center management, or network setup services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your IT company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your IT business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your IT marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your IT business, including answering calls, meeting with new clients, billing and collecting payments from clients, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your IT business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your IT business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing IT businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing an IT business or successfully running a small IT consulting service.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you charge your clients an hourly rate of $250 per hour, and will you work 5 hours per day? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your IT business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a IT business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of your IT credentials.

Writing a business plan for your IT business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert on IT business planning. You will understand the IT industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful IT business.

IT Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my it services business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your IT services business plan.

How Do You Start an IT Services Business?

Starting an IT business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your IT Business
• Create Your IT Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your IT Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your IT Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your [Sector] Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your IT Business
• Buy or Lease the Right IT Business Equipment
• Develop Your IT Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your IT Business
• Open for Business

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your IT business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan services can give you a winning business plan.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

• Integrations
• Learning Center

How to Build a Technology Roadmap

What is a technology roadmap.

A technology roadmap is a high-level visual summary that maps out the vision and plans for a complex technology undertaking. Businesses use technology roadmaps to plan and manage internal IT projects.

When and Why Would You Need a Technology Roadmap?

Making any change to a business’s technology environment can be a complicated task. It can also create a ripple effect across the organization.

If the company implements a change without thinking through the implications, it could create problems for the business’s operations. It could also introduce security and regulatory weaknesses. And even if the company addresses these risks, the change itself could be disruptive.

For these reasons, a business should use a technology roadmap to strategically plan any complex adjustment to its IT environment, including addressing technical debt . Using a technology roadmap can help a company plan out the best way to introduce a technological change in the business. This plan would include rolling out new software for employees, upgrading the organization’s digital network, or migrating to a new email program.

Here are a few other benefits of technology roadmaps.

What are the Benefits of a Technology Roadmap?

1. it helps you see and understand the implications of your plan..

Before introducing any IT changes to your organization, you need to think through how the change will affect the business.

For instance, are you thinking about upgrading to new servers? You’ll need to know how moving your data will affect your employees’ work. You’ll also need to figure out how to make the switch without leaving any holes in your cybersecurity process.

A technology roadmap helps you and your team think through how your plans will impact other areas of the business.

2. It helps you communicate your plan’s big-picture goals and benefits.

When you decide to change corporate email systems or some other aspect of your IT environment, you will need to earn the support of affected stakeholders across the company.

A technology roadmap can help you do this by allowing you to clearly and persuasively summarize your strategic thinking behind your plan, and the benefits you anticipate the change will deliver to the company.

3. It helps keep your team on track during the process.

All complex projects face obstacles. Your executive staff might freeze budgets across the company while your technology implementation is only halfway complete. Or an IT emergency in the company might force your team to pause on this project while you address that urgent problem.

How to Create a Technology Roadmap

Here’s a five-step plan for building a technology roadmap.

Step 1: Identify your strategic objectives.

Before you can plan the specific tactics of your technology project, you need to figure out why you’ve decided this initiative is essential. That means your first step is to identify and clearly articulate the “why” behind your proposed change.

Ask yourself, “How will this IT change benefit our business?” — and place your brief response at the top of your technology roadmap.

Step 2: Determine the roadmap’s audience(s).

You might be planning highly technical changes for your company. But if you’re going to present this roadmap to your executive staff, you don’t want it to read like a technical manual. Those executives might not understand any of the terms you use in conversation to discuss this project with your IT coworkers.

Figure out which audiences will be viewing your technology roadmap, so you can build the roadmap using language those people will understand. If you plan to share the roadmap with more than one audience, you will want to use web-based roadmap software . It allows you to quickly and easily build several versions of the same roadmap and switch effortlessly among the different views during your presentations.

Step 3: Establish your roadmap’s major themes.

Now that you’ve decided on your primary strategic goals, it’s time to turn those goals into a plan. You’ll want to start with the highest-level actions. You can then drill down into each to figure out the details.

Note: The high-level strategic elements on a roadmap are called themes , followed by epics . (Several related epics can fall under one high-level theme.)

Step 4: Share your roadmap with relevant stakeholders

When your technology roadmap is ready to share with key stakeholders, you should call a meeting with them. At this stage, you should have a compelling message about why this technology change will help the business and a clear vision of how you plan to execute it.

Expect your stakeholders — particularly your executive team — to ask you to explain both points.

Step 5: Meet with your team to assign responsibilities — and start making progress.

Once you have your themes and epics in place, you will need to translate those high-level plans into actionable tasks.

Bring your team together to review your technology roadmap. In this meeting, you will want to determine which projects to work on in which order, estimate how long each project will take, and decide which team members will be responsible for each action item.

One final suggestion: Review and reassess your roadmap often.

The projects covered in a technology roadmap typically take months to complete. And because your team’s priorities can change many times during that period, you’ll want to review your technology roadmap regularly throughout the process. That way, your team is continuing to make progress according to your original plan and goals.

Tips for Sharing Your Technology Roadmap

In Step 4 of our process above, we suggested you present your roadmap to relevant stakeholders, so they can understand — and, with any luck, support — your proposed technology implementation. How can you improve your chances of making that meeting a success? Here are a few tips for sharing your technology roadmap:

1. Talk benefits, not tactics.

Until they know how your technology plan will benefit the business, your coworkers and executives won’t care how you plan to accomplish it.

Start with your big-picture thinking. Tell your audience why you’re proposing this change. Then explain what you expect it to do for the company, and why you’re sure it’s a smart move.

Note: Even if you are not presenting the roadmap to an audience but simply sharing it digitally with coworkers, you still want to follow this approach of explaining the big “why” behind your plan. So, make sure you include a short description of the strategic benefits right at the top of your technology roadmap.

2. Leave the technical details out.

Your roadmap should be visually compelling, and it should tell a story your audience can digest within a few seconds after you’ve put the roadmap up on the conference room’s screen.

Be concise. For each epic or theme on the roadmap, explain in just a few words what you plan to do, what you anticipate it will achieve for the company, and why that’s a good thing.

3. Have evidence to support your claims.

There is one caveat to our suggestion — that you keep the details out of your roadmap. You should have some data supporting your plans and goals somewhere in the roadmap.

With the right roadmap app, of course, you can add relevant stats, charts, or links to data beneath each item; keeping that information hidden from view until you’re ready to present it. You’ll keep your roadmap presentation clean and free of clutter, but still be able to pull up evidence immediately if someone challenges you or asks for supporting data.

Product Management for Information Technology

Product management for information technology is an integral part of product organization as they embark on a digital transformation.

What Product Managers Need to Know About Security

Enterprise companies that prioritize product manager security knowledge as a foundation for leading a product team can ensure a safer...

How to Create A Roadmap That Helps You Say No

Technology roadmaps templates can assist your IT department in determining what features and products to prioritize.

Continue exploring

You can search or explore specific categories.

Prioritization and Backlog

Company news and updates, templates and workbooks, remote product management, product metrics and analytics, product strategy example, product managers, tools and resources, customer-centricity, product leadership, product management, roadmap and roadmap management, product strategy, agile & product development, career and interviews, try productplan free for 14 days.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Investing + Retirement
• Small business
• View all small business

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

25 Tech Business Ideas for 2022

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If you’re looking to start a business with high earning potential, you’ve probably looked into some tech business ideas.

And why wouldn’t you? In 2019, the estimated economic output of the technology industry was $1.8 trillion, comprising over 10% of the national economy, according to CompTIA. What’s more, the average successful startup exit (via either acquisition or IPO) has sat at $242.9 million since 2007.

However, for every successful startup exit, there are hundreds if not thousands of startups that have failed. So if you’re an entrepreneur hoping to hit it big in the technology sector, you need to start with a strong tech business idea.

In an industry defined by innovation and disruption, what constitutes a “good” tech business idea is constantly changing. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of tech business ideas that are poised for extreme growth in the coming years.

What is a tech business?

Tech businesses provide products and services that have applications across multiple industries — but at their core, they pertain to the research, development and distribution of technology-based goods. This includes businesses that manufacture electronics (like Apple), create software (like Salesforce), provide services relating to information technology (like Google) and more.

The best part about our technology business ideas is that they don’t require a lot of overhead—you can start small and grow over time. However, you will need some level of technical knowledge to be able to successfully start a business in the industry. If you don’t have any tech experience, consider starting with a coding bootcamp.

Here are some of the top tech business ideas, including some recommendations from tech entrepreneurs themselves.

1. Food tech

Our first recommendation comes from Phil Strazzulla, founder of HR software company SelectSoftware. Strazzulla sees the food tech sector as a major growth industry in the coming years:

“Companies like Beyond Meat are just the beginning of businesses engineering eco-friendly and healthy food that is as delicious as our current diet. The science is now there, and the market for next-generation food is literally in the trillions of dollars, and it grows just as quickly as the world's population.”

2. Web design

One tech business idea that will never go out of style is website design. That’s because pretty much every business needs a professional-looking website in order to appear reputable and build their brand.

Web design encompasses a range of different services, including graphic design, interface design, copywriting, UX design, and SEO. According to IBISWorld , the web design business has grown at a rate of 6.6% over the last five years, and generated $38 billion in revenue in 2019, meaning you can rely on there being a market for this tech business idea for years to come.

3. Extended reality

Extended reality technology encompasses both augmented reality, or AR, and virtual reality, or VR, technologies. Kenny Trinh, editor of tech review publication Net Books News, sees extended reality technology proliferating in the coming years.

"In 2020, we’ll see more and more businesses applying extended reality to their brands to stand out from the competition and deliver a better customer experience,” says Trinh. “In fact, some businesses have been doing that already.”

Trinh points to the eco-friendly water packaging project W-in-a-Box, which uses AR to further explain the benefits of their product.

4. Robotics

Robotics is a bit of a catch-all term that encompasses mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering, computer science and other related disciplines. The goal of robotics is to create machines that can move and react to sensory input. According to Statista , this industry is expected to grow from $80 billion in annual revenue in 2019 to over $200 billion in annual revenue by 2025.

5. Customer experience management, or CXM

Ian Kelly, VP of operations for a CBD oil company called NuLeaf, believes customer experience management platforms like ZenDesk will soon make customer relationship management platforms, or CRMs, obsolete.

"While a CRM can help you manage customer details, a CXM unifies all sales, marketing and customer service conversations into a single silo so that your customers are treated like the loyal fan-base they are,” says Kelly. “No more hitting your customer over the head with repeat promos, selling them on services/products they already have or letting them slip through the cracks when they've bought and never been properly onboarded.”

6. Influencer marketing

Influencer marketing is an industry enabled by social media platforms like Instagram involving endorsements and product placements from individuals or organizations who possess a certain level of expertise or social influence in their respective fields. While not just anyone can be an influencer, if you possess some level of unique knowledge or a lot of charisma, you can launch a business by gathering a social media following and hiring an influencer marketing agency to connect you with brands.

On the flip side, you can also launch a business focused on connecting brands with the right influencers for their products and mission.

7. Content automation

With content and social media becoming an ever-growing part of many businesses’ marketing plans, Gleb Myrko, an analyst at the market research firm Freedonia Group, believes content automation software presents a great opportunity for tech entrepreneurs.

"Businesses today have accounts on all different social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc. All of these channels require different approaches to content planning, content production and account management and analytics,” says Myrko. “There’s still not a widely applied tool for omnichannel management, promotion and analytics for the most popular social media. We need an all-in-one hub where marketers can analyze data/performance, as well as manage and promote their accounts on different social media channels in a more centralized, convenient and effective manner.”

8. Artificial intelligence

The term “artificial intelligence" is used to describe technologies pertaining to machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing and more. Although artificial intelligence is a technology that has been around for quite some time, as it becomes increasingly sophisticated, its market potential is growing as well.

Statista reports that the industry grew by 154% in 2019 alone—making it a great tech sector to build a business around.

9. Podcasting

If you’ve been paying attention to innovations in content over the past few years, you’re probably aware of the exploding popularity of podcasts. Today, 51% of the U.S. population has listened to a podcast, and podcaster Dre Baldwin sees podcasting’s prospects only increasing in the coming years.

“Entrepreneurs need to start building their podcast content library ASAP,” Baldwin says. “More and more people are consuming media on the go; audiobooks and podcasts are at the forefront of this. Any entrepreneur or business entity that wants the attention of consumers needs to be in their ears, literally.”

How Much Do You Need?

10. Streaming service

Services like Netflix and Disney+ get most of the attention when it comes to streaming services, but there is plenty of opportunity to start a streaming service for more niche content. For example, you can create a streaming service where users can upload instructional videos or a streaming service designed specifically for children’s content. You could also develop a platform for live streaming (like Twitch) or streaming music (like Spotify).

The global outlook on the streaming service industry is overwhelmingly positive. In 2019, streaming services generated $25 billion in revenue. By 2025, that number is expected to rise to $30 billion, according to Statista.

11. 3D printing

One of the more exciting technologies developed during the 2010s is 3D printing, which allows users to build a three-dimensional object from a computer-aided design model. Shayne Sherman, CEO of TechLoris, believes 3D printing will have increased importance in the next decade as the technology continues to become more sophisticated.

"There will always be the need for production companies, but just as the advent of the assembly line changed production, so too has 3D printing,” Sherman says. “The ability to manufacture whole components in single pieces has created a serious demand, especially in the medical fields. This demand means that 3D printing companies are set to grow exponentially, and if you can get into the business, it's a solid choice for the coming years.”

12. E-commerce

E-commerce is another technology that has been around for a while, but still has growth potential. Over the last year, Statista reports that e-commerce sales grew from $500 billion to nearly $550 billion.

If you have a unique idea for an e-commerce store, you can launch your own e-commerce business from the comfort of your home. No product in mind? Not to worry; dropshipping allows you to start an e-commerce business with products you are not responsible for warehousing or shipping.

If you want to grab a bigger share of the market, you could also take the time to develop your own e-commerce platform or marketplace. Just keep in mind that the e-commerce platform space is already dominated by giants like Shopify and Amazon. Therefore, if you want to start your own e-commerce platform, we suggest focusing on a niche market.

13. Portable charging devices

Mobile devices go with us everywhere nowadays, but having your phone battery die on you while you’re out is still a far too common problem. That’s what’s driving the growth of the portable phone charging industry.

According to data published by BCC Research, the portable charging device market is expected to grow by 6.6% year over year from 2017 to 2022. Growth is driven by the fact that many newer phone models have lower battery capacity.

"Growing urbanization, rising disposable income and increasing mobile phone penetration will boost the mobile charger market around the globe,” according to the report’s author Mohammed Javed. “Increasing penetration of high-specification electronic gadgets/devices that drain batteries at faster rates will further boost the mobile charger market in the near future.”

14. Publishing e-books

An e-book is a book made available in digital form. If you’re a writer, there is a growing market for books published online. Businesses are creating e-books as a way to market their brand, and aspiring authors of fiction and nonfiction publish e-books as a way to reach more customers and grow their readership.

In 2019 alone, revenue generated from e-books topped $1.3 billion, and that number will rise to $1.6 billion by 2024, Statista reports.

15. Fitness tech

Technology has applications in nearly every industry — including the fitness industry. We’ve already seen new technologies like FitBit, Peloton and Strava change how people exercise, and more innovation is on the horizon. That’s the belief of Jared Weitz, founder of United Capital Source Inc.

"Fitness technology is an area of continued growth. Whether it is creating products like fitness trackers, wireless earbuds or smartwatches that have multiple functions, the market is constantly seeking new gear and technology,” Weitz says. “This niche is expanding from tangible fitness products to the apps and data that marry the physical and digital together. Combine a high-tech device with an app related to exercise or diet and you will be setting yourself up for success in 2020 and beyond.”

16. Online teaching

Do you know a foreign language? Can you build a treehouse? Do you cook really good soup? Then you can make money sharing your knowledge and expertise online. Thanks to services like Teachable and Udemy, teachers can now build their own online classes, sell them to students and teach the entire class online. If you’re a good teacher and know how to market your class, you can earn a livable wage by teaching your skills to others through the internet.

17. Mobile application development

Every business needs a website. And the way the market is trending, soon every business will also need their own mobile app. This presents an exciting opportunity for individuals skilled in app development. Successful companies like Braze and Leanplum have built their entire business around developing apps for others.

There is really an endless supply of app ideas. There were 194 billion app downloads in 2018 alone, and that number is only expected to climb. So strike while the iron is hot.

18. Search engine optimization consultant

Google is still an essential part of many business’s marketing strategies. They need to be able to appear as a top result in Google Search for keywords related to their business. That means they need someone who is skilled in search engine optimization, or SEO, to help them. Some businesses hire people to perform SEO in-house, but many organizations also work with freelancers or third-party agencies to implement an SEO strategy. If you can train yourself in SEO and keep up with its ever-changing trends, you can start a business providing SEO services to other organizations.

19. Social media consultant

If you’re not into SEO, but are good on social media, you can work with businesses to help them generate likes, shares, retweets, followers, comments, clicks and more as a social media marketer . In this role, you’ll consult with companies and help them manage their social profiles, spread content across the web and build their brand.

What’s more, the startup cost to be a social media marketer is minimal and can be done from your own home. Just be sure to buff up your social media skills and keep up with the latest trends and platforms.

20. Drone videography

If you own a drone and know how to use a camera, there’s a market for your services. Commercial and residential real estate agents are increasingly using aerial shots as a way to market their buildings and property. You can find real estate agents in your area using platforms like Zillow. Then reach out and offer up your services. Other industries, such as agriculture, events and more have uses for drones, as well.

21. Cybersecurity or IT consulting

Businesses today are increasingly threatened by cyberattacks, making the need for IT consultants greater than ever. As an IT consultant, you can help businesses evaluate their security systems, run tests and offer advice on how they can better protect themselves from cyberhackers.

More generally, an IT consultant can help businesses set up their computers and troubleshoot any general issues.

22. Venture capitalist

A vast majority of tech startups are backed by venture funding. If you have an interest in the tech space, but don’t have any technical knowledge yourself, you can try raising some money and becoming a venture capitalist or angel investor.

Similar to being an influencer, a venture capitalist isn’t something you can simply become overnight. That’s because being a venture capitalist requires allowing others to trust you with their money.

You need to start small and make some solid investments in order to make a name for yourself. Many independent investors join a VC fund for a while before striking off and starting their own fund.

23. Startup incubator

Another way to get involved in the tech world without having a lot of technical experience is to create your own startup incubator. The job of an incubator is to help startups plan and launch their business successfully. Services provided may include management training, office space and mentorship opportunities.

Of course, you’ll need some background in business to be able to successfully launch an incubator. The cost of creating your own incubator and attracting founders may also be difficult to muster. Many incubators start small and grow over time once they have successfully helped multiple startups enter the market.

24. Antivirus developer

An antivirus developer is a highly specific sort of tech business idea that pertains to the creation of antivirus software that can help businesses protect critical data. Antivirus software can be created using a variety of different programming languages. The overall goal of an antivirus is to detect and remove malware before it impacts a computer’s systems. Start networking with local businesses in your area to find out if there's a need for this service.

25. Domain name broker

Being a domain name broker is similar to being a stockbroker, except instead of stocks, you sell domain names. To get started you need a little capital to buy some domain names. You’ll then need to educate yourself so that you’ll be able to predict domain name requirements in the future.

So like most of the businesses on this list, it will take some work to get started. But everyone needs a domain name, so there will always be a market for this service.

The bottom line

We hope our list has helped you figure out which tech business idea is the right fit for your skills and interests. Regardless of the route you choose to take, you’ll need to write a business plan, create a business entity and maybe take out a business loan to get your startup off the ground.

On a similar note...

• Special Offers
• Accessories
• Quick Bill Pay
• Support Center
• Small Business
• Residential
• Check For Deals At My Home
• Residential: Home Page
• Fiber Internet
• My CenturyLink Sign In

Including technology in your business plan

There are as many types of business plans as there are businesses. One of the most important questions to consider before you start writing your plan is who you are writing the plan for. Is it for your own use and guidance as you build your business? Or is it for investors? After you’ve answered this question, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to focus on in your plan and what the tone and format should be.

Most business plans include financial projections and a business description or goals. Other common elements include: market analysis, organization and management, service or product descriptions, and marketing and sales strategies. While giving due consideration to all of these elements will help you in the long run, the level of attention and detail you give each piece will vary depending on the specific purpose and audience of your plan.

While you consider who you’re writing for and what you want to focus on, you can read more about business plan development from the experts at the Small Business Administration .

As you write out your business plan, don’t forget to consider the essential role of technology in your business. Whether you’re a home baker selling goods at a farmer’s market or a tattoo artist opening your own shop, every type of business requires some level of technology. It’s important to think about how you’ll use technology in your business. Plan for it from the very beginning — strategically, operationally, and financially.

Strategic considerations of technology

For some businesses, technology has an obvious and essential role — for any web-based business, for example, such as online booking or payment platforms. In these types of businesses, the strategic inclusion of technology is crucial to all parts of the plan. For other businesses, the role of technology might not be so clear. In thinking about your business, do some research to learn if there are any apps , programs, or systems that might help you streamline operations, increase your efficiency, or add value to your product or service. And don’t forget to consider the value of data for your business . These might be considerations for the growth of your business that you’ll implement a few years in, or you might find solutions that can help you immediately.

Technology in your operations

After you’ve taken a strategic look at your business and the technology-driven tools available to you, it’s time to consider how you’ll use those tools in your operations. While it goes without saying that a good internet connection is the most basic of technology tools you should plan for, you may also want landline phone service for your business, or a second internet line. You will also likely want to develop and maintain a website, and subscribe to an email marketing program, such as MailChimp or ConstantContact. And then there’s record-keeping and financials — how will you keep track of your revenue and expenses for planning and tax purposes? A subscription to a web or cloud-based accounting system is often a good solution for small businesses.

These are just a few of the more common examples of the use of technology in business operations. Whether you call out these types of tools as part of a specified “technology plan” in your larger business plan, or include them in relevant sections such as marketing, communications, or management/administration, this list serves to remind you that no matter what your business is, technology will play some role.

Financial considerations of technology tools

You’ve taken a strategic look at technology for your business, you’ve considered its role in your operations, and now it’s time to include it in your financial planning. The cost of internet and/or phone service may or may not be included in the monthly payment for your physical location (whether that’s a leased office space, a co-working space, or your home office). If it’s not included in monthly rent, or if you are working from home, you’ll want to include the cost as a separate line item in your expenses. The other tools mentioned above will also all have recurring monthly fees, unless you pay up-front for a year of service for a program like QuickBooks or MailChimp. The development of a website may require an additional one-time expense if you hire someone to do it for you. Web hosting will usually be an annual fee.

The costs for all of these tools definitely adds up. So it’s important not to overlook them in your financial planning. For many new businesses, financial success or failure can be only a few hundred dollars away. Don’t let the tools that will contribute to your long-term success be an unpleasant surprise when it comes time to pay for them.

When you’re planning your new or growing business, considering how technology will serve you will be an essential factor in your business plan. From internet and phone service to advanced programs that support sales, inventory, and logistics, the right technology can help you automate and streamline your business, serve your customers better, and give you more time to focus on the work that really excites you.

Malia Ruchti

Malia Ruchti has been known to use the internet once in a while. She has found herself writing on, about, and for the internet for at least 10 years. She's written web content for nonprofits and small businesses. She has also written grants and business plans. Writing content for CenturyLink has given her great insight to the workings of the internet. Malia lives in Colorado with her family, most of whom are too young to explore the internet. Instead, they spend a lot of time outside with plants, dogs, and bikes.

1 thought on “Including technology in your business plan”

I need to know how to set up my phone,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment Policy:

CenturyLink welcomes respectful and thoughtful comments related to the blog content. All comments require approval, and we reserve the right to remove any comments that are off-topic, inappropriate, spam, abusive, or being used to promote and solicit for third-party sites, initiatives, or products. Please do not post any private information unless you want it to be available publicly. For assistance with your service, please visit our support center for self-help options or to connect with our customer success team.

All content is for informational purposes only, may require user’s additional research, and is provided “as is” without any warranty, condition of any kind (express or implied), or guarantee of outcome or results. Use of this content is at user’s own risk. All third-party company and product or service names referenced in this article are for identification purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with CenturyLink. If CenturyLink products and offerings are referenced in the content, they are accurate as of the date of issue. CenturyLink services are not available everywhere. For fiber services, CenturyLink service usually means 100% fiber-optic network to your location but, in limited circumstances, CenturyLink may need to deploy alternative technologies coupled with a non-fiber connection from a certain point (usually the curb) to your location in order to provide the advertised download speeds. ©2023 CenturyLink. All Rights Reserved.

Trending Discover Topics

Visit the Discover blog homepage

24 Best Sample Business Plans & Examples to Help You Write Your Own

Published: August 17, 2023

Free Business Plan Template

The essential document for starting a business -- custom built for your needs.

• Outline your idea.
• Pitch to investors.
• Secure funding.
• Get to work!

Thank you for downloading the offer.

Reading sample business plans is essential when you’re writing your own. As you explore business plan examples from real companies and brands, you’ll learn how to write one that gets your business off on the right foot, convinces investors to provide funding, and confirms your venture is sustainable for the long term.

hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(53, 'e9d2eacb-6b01-423a-bf7a-19d42ba77eaa', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"});

But what does a business plan look like? And how do you write one that is viable and convincing? Let's review the ideal business plan formally, then take a look at business plan templates and samples you can use to inspire your own.

Business Plan Format

Ask any successful sports coach how they win so many games, and they’ll tell you they have a unique plan for every single game. The same logic applies to business. If you want to build a thriving company that can pull ahead of the competition, you need to prepare for battle before breaking into a market.

Business plans guide you along the rocky journey of growing a company. Referencing one will keep you on the path toward success. And if your business plan is compelling enough, it can also convince investors to give you funding.

With so much at stake, you might be wondering, "Where do I start? How should I format this?"

Typically, a business plan is a document that will detail how a company will achieve its goals.

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

Fill out the form to get your free template.

Most business plans include the following sections:

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary is arguably the most important section of the entire business plan. Essentially, it's the overview or introduction, written in a way to grab readers' attention and guide them through the rest of the business plan. This is important, because a business plan can be dozens or hundreds of pages long.

Most executive summaries include:

• Mission statement
• Company history and leadership
• Competitive advantage overview
• Financial projections
• Company goals

Keep in mind you'll cover many of these topics in more detail later on in the business plan. So, keep the executive summary clear and brief, including only the most important takeaways.

Executive Summary Business Plan Examples

This example was created with HubSpot’s business plan template:

And the executive summary below tells potential investors a short story that covers all the most important details this business plan will cover in a succinct and interesting way.

Image Source

Tips for Writing Your Executive Summary

• Clearly define a problem, and explain how your product solves that problem, and show why the market needs your business.
• Be sure to highlight your value proposition, market opportunity, and growth potential.
• Keep it concise and support ideas with data.
• Customize your summary to your audience. For example, emphasize finances and return on investment for venture capitalists.

Check out our tips for writing an effective executive summary for more guidance.

2. Market Opportunity

This is where you'll detail the opportunity in the market. Where is the gap in the current industry, and how will your product fill that gap?

In this section, you might include:

• The size of the market
• Current or potential market share
• Trends in the industry and consumer behavior
• Where the gap is
• What caused the gap
• How you intend to fill it

To get a thorough understanding of the market opportunity, you'll want to conduct a TAM, SAM, and SOM analysis and perform market research on your industry. You may also benefit from creating a SWOT analysis to get some of the insights for this section.

Market Opportunity Business Plan Example

This example uses critical data to underline the size of the potential market and what part of that market this service hopes to capture.

Tips for Writing Your Market Opportunity Section

• Focus on demand and potential for growth.
• Use market research, surveys, and industry trend data to support your market forecast and projections.
• Add a review of regulation shifts, tech advances, and consumer behavior changes.
• Refer to reliable sources.
• Showcase how your business can make the most of this opportunity.

3. Competitive Landscape

Speaking of market share, you'll need to create a section that shares details on who the top competitors are. After all, your customers likely have more than one brand to choose from, and you'll want to understand exactly why they might choose one over another. Performing a competitive analysis can help you uncover:

• Industry trends that other brands may not be utilizing
• Strengths in your competition that may be obstacles to handle
• Weaknesses in your competition that may help you develop selling points
• The unique proposition you bring to the market that may resonate with customers

Competitive Landscape Business Plan Example

The competitive landscape section of the business plan below shows a clear outline of who the top competitors are. It also highlights specific industry knowledge and the importance of location, which shows useful experience in this specific industry. This can help build trust in your ability to execute your business plan.

Tips for Writing Your Competitive Landscape

• Complete in-depth research, then emphasize your most important findings.
• Compare your unique selling proposition (USP) to your direct and indirect competitors.
• Show a clear and realistic plan for product and brand differentiation.
• Look for specific advantages and barriers in the competitive landscape. Then, highlight how that information could impact your business.
• Outline growth opportunities from a competitive perspective.
• Add customer feedback and insights to support your competitive analysis.

4. Target Audience

This section will describe who your customer segments are in detail. What is the demographic and psychographic information of your audience?

If your immediate answer is "everyone," you'll need to dig deeper. Ask yourself:

• What demographics will most likely need/buy your product or service?
• What are the psychographics of this audience? (Desires, triggering events, etc.)
• Why are your offerings valuable to them?

It can be helpful to build a buyer persona to get in the mindset of your ideal customers and be clear on why you're targeting them.

Target Audience Business Plan Example

The example below uses in-depth research to draw conclusions about audience priorities. It also analyzes how to create the right content for this audience.

Tips for Writing Your Target Audience Section

• Include details on the size and growth potential of your target audience.
• Figure out and refine the pain points for your target audience , then show why your product is a useful solution.
• Describe your targeted customer acquisition strategy in detail.
• Share anticipated challenges your business may face in acquiring customers and how you plan to address them.
• Add case studies, testimonials, and other data to support your target audience ideas.
• Remember to consider niche audiences and segments of your target audience in your business plan.

5. Marketing Strategy

Here, you'll discuss how you'll acquire new customers with your marketing strategy. You might consider including information on:

• The brand positioning vision and how you'll cultivate it
• The goal targets you aim to achieve
• The metrics you'll use to measure success
• The channels and distribution tactics you'll use

It can help to already have a marketing plan built out to help you with this part of your business plan.

Marketing Strategy Business Plan Example

This business plan example includes the marketing strategy for the town of Gawler. It offers a comprehensive picture of how it plans to use digital marketing to promote the community.

Tips for Writing Your Marketing Strategy

• Include a section about how you believe your brand vision will appeal to customers.
• Add the budget and resources you'll need to put your plan in place.
• Outline strategies for specific marketing segments.
• Connect strategies to earlier sections like target audience and competitive analysis.
• Review how your marketing strategy will scale with the growth of your business.
• Cover a range of channels and tactics to highlight your ability to adapt your plan in the face of change.

6. Key Features and Benefits

At some point in your business plan, you'll review the key features and benefits of your products and/or services. Laying these out can give readers an idea of how you're positioning yourself in the market and the messaging you're likely to use . It can even help them gain better insight into your business model.

Key Features and Benefits Business Plan Example

The example below outlines products and services for this business, along with why these qualities will attract the audience.

Tips for Writing Your Key Features and Benefits

• Emphasize why and how your product or service offers value to customers.
• Use metrics and testimonials to support the ideas in this section.
• Talk about how your products and services have the potential to scale.
• Think about including a product roadmap.
• Focus on customer needs, and how the features and benefits you are sharing meet those needs.
• Offer proof of concept for your ideas, like case studies or pilot program feedback.
• Proofread this section carefully, and remove any jargon or complex language.

7. Pricing and Revenue

This is where you'll discuss your cost structure and various revenue streams. Your pricing strategy must be solid enough to turn a profit while staying competitive in the industry. For this reason, you might outline:

• The specific pricing breakdowns per product or service
• Why your pricing is higher or lower than your competition's
• (If higher) Why customers would be willing to pay more
• (If lower) How you're able to offer your products or services at a lower cost
• When you expect to break even, what margins do you expect, etc?

Pricing and Revenue Business Plan Example

This business plan example begins with an overview of the business revenue model, then shows proposed pricing for key products.

Tips for Writing Your Pricing and Revenue Section

• Get specific about your pricing strategy. Specifically, how you connect that strategy to customer needs and product value.
• If you are asking a premium price, share unique features or innovations that justify that price point.
• Show how you plan to communicate pricing to customers.
• Create an overview of every revenue stream for your business and how each stream adds to your business model as a whole.
• Share plans to develop new revenue streams in the future.
• Show how and whether pricing will vary by customer segment and how pricing aligns with marketing strategies.
• Restate your value proposition and explain how it aligns with your revenue model.

8. Financials

This section is particularly informative for investors and leadership teams to figure out funding strategies, investment opportunities, and more. According to Forbes , you'll want to include three main things:

• Profit/Loss Statement - This answers the question of whether your business is currently profitable.
• Cash Flow Statement - This details exactly how much cash is incoming and outgoing to give insight into how much cash a business has on hand.
• Balance Sheet - This outlines assets, liabilities, and equity, which gives insight into how much a business is worth.

While some business plans might include more or less information, these are the key details you'll want to include.

Financials Business Plan Example

This balance sheet example shows the level of detail you will need to include in the financials section of your business plan:

Tips for Writing Your Financials Section

• Growth potential is important in this section too. Using your data, create a forecast of financial performance in the next three to five years.
• Include any data that supports your projections to assure investors of the credibility of your proposal.
• Add a break-even analysis to show that your business plan is financially practical. This information can also help you pivot quickly as your business grows.
• Consider adding a section that reviews potential risks and how sensitive your plan is to changes in the market.
• Triple-check all financial information in your plan for accuracy.
• Show how any proposed funding needs align with your plans for growth.

As you create your business plan, keep in mind that each of these sections will be formatted differently. Some may be in paragraph format, while others could be charts or graphs.

Business Plan Types

The formats above apply to most types of business plans. That said, the format and structure of your plan will vary by your goals for that plan. So, we’ve added a quick review of different business plan types. For a more detailed overview, check out this post .

1. Startups

Startup business plans are for proposing new business ideas.

If you’re planning to start a small business, preparing a business plan is crucial. The plan should include all the major factors of your business. You can check out this guide for more detailed business plan inspiration .

2. Feasibility Studies

Feasibility business plans focus on that business's product or service. Feasibility plans are sometimes added to startup business plans. They can also be a new business plan for an already thriving organization.

3. Internal Use

You can use internal business plans to share goals, strategies, or performance updates with stakeholders. Internal business plans are useful for alignment and building support for ambitious goals.

4. Strategic Initiatives

Another business plan that's often for sharing internally is a strategic business plan. This plan covers long-term business objectives that might not have been included in the startup business plan.

5. Business Acquisition or Repositioning

When a business is moving forward with an acquisition or repositioning, it may need extra structure and support. These types of business plans expand on a company's acquisition or repositioning strategy.

Growth sometimes just happens as a business continues operations. But more often, a business needs to create a structure with specific targets to meet set goals for expansion. This business plan type can help a business focus on short-term growth goals and align resources with those goals.

Sample Business Plan Templates

Now that you know what's included and how to format a business plan, let's review some templates.

1. HubSpot's One-Page Business Plan

Download a free, editable one-page business plan template..

The business plan linked above was created here at HubSpot and is perfect for businesses of any size — no matter how many strategies we still have to develop.

Fields such as Company Description, Required Funding, and Implementation Timeline give this one-page business plan a framework for how to build your brand and what tasks to keep track of as you grow. Then, as the business matures, you can expand on your original business plan with a new iteration of the above document.

Why We Like It

This one-page business plan is a fantastic choice for the new business owner who doesn’t have the time or resources to draft a full-blown business plan. It includes all the essential sections in an accessible, bullet-point-friendly format. That way, you can get the broad strokes down before honing in on the details.

2. HubSpot's Downloadable Business Plan Template

We also created a business plan template for entrepreneurs.

The template is designed as a guide and checklist for starting your own business. You’ll learn what to include in each section of your business plan and how to do it. There’s also a list for you to check off when you finish each section of your business plan.

Strong game plans help coaches win games and help businesses rocket to the top of their industries. So if you dedicate the time and effort required to write a workable and convincing business plan, you’ll boost your chances of success and even dominance in your market.

This business plan kit is essential for the budding entrepreneur who needs a more extensive document to share with investors and other stakeholders. It not only includes sections for your executive summary, product line, market analysis, marketing plan, and sales plan, but it also offers hands-on guidance for filling out those sections.

3. LiveFlow’s Financial Planning Template with built-in automation

This free template from LiveFlow aims to make it easy for businesses to create a financial plan and track their progress on a monthly basis. The P&L Budget versus Actual format allows users to track their revenue, cost of sales, operating expenses, operating profit margin, net profit, and more.

The summary dashboard aggregates all of the data put into the financial plan sheet and will automatically update when changes are made. Instead of wasting hours manually importing your data to your spreadsheet, LiveFlow can also help you to automatically connect your accounting and banking data directly to your spreadsheet, so your numbers are always up-to-date.

With the dashboard, you can view your runway, cash balance, burn rate, gross margins, and other metrics. Having a simple way to track everything in one place will make it easier to complete the financials section of your business plan.

This is a fantastic template to track performance and alignment internally and to create a dependable process for documenting financial information across the business. It’s highly versatile and beginner-friendly. It’s especially useful if you don’t have an accountant on the team. (We always recommend you do, but for new businesses, having one might not be possible.)

4. ThoughtCo’s Sample Business Plan

One of the more financially oriented sample business plans in this list, BPlan’s free business plan template dedicates many of its pages to your business’s financial plan and financial statements.

After filling this business plan out, your company will truly understand its financial health and the steps you need to take to maintain or improve it.

We absolutely love this business plan template because of its ease-of-use and hands-on instructions (in addition to its finance-centric components). If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of writing an entire business plan, consider using this template to help you with the process.

6. Harvard Business Review’s "How to Write a Winning Business Plan"

Most sample business plans teach you what to include in your business plan, but this Harvard Business Review article will take your business plan to the next level — it teaches you the why and how behind writing a business plan.

With the guidance of Stanley Rich and Richard Gumpert, co-authors of " Business Plans That Win: Lessons From the MIT Enterprise Forum ", you'll learn how to write a convincing business plan that emphasizes the market demand for your product or service. You’ll also learn the financial benefits investors can reap from putting money into your venture rather than trying to sell them on how great your product or service is.

This business plan guide focuses less on the individual parts of a business plan, and more on the overarching goal of writing one. For that reason, it’s one of our favorites to supplement any template you choose to use. Harvard Business Review’s guide is instrumental for both new and seasoned business owners.

7. HubSpot’s Complete Guide to Starting a Business

If you’re an entrepreneur, you know writing a business plan is one of the most challenging first steps to starting a business. Fortunately, with HubSpot's comprehensive guide to starting a business, you'll learn how to map out all the details by understanding what to include in your business plan and why it’s important to include them. The guide also fleshes out an entire sample business plan for you.

If you need further guidance on starting a business, HubSpot's guide can teach you how to make your business legal, choose and register your business name, and fund your business. It will also give small business tax information and includes marketing, sales, and service tips.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of starting a business, in addition to writing your business plan, with a high level of exactitude and detail. So if you’re in the midst of starting your business, this is an excellent guide for you. It also offers other resources you might need, such as market analysis templates.

8. Panda Doc’s Free Business Plan Template

PandaDoc’s free business plan template is one of the more detailed and fleshed-out sample business plans on this list. It describes what you should include in each section, so you don't have to come up with everything from scratch.

Once you fill it out, you’ll fully understand your business’ nitty-gritty details and how all of its moving parts should work together to contribute to its success.

This template has two things we love: comprehensiveness and in-depth instructions. Plus, it’s synced with PandaDoc’s e-signature software so that you and other stakeholders can sign it with ease. For that reason, we especially love it for those starting a business with a partner or with a board of directors.

9. Small Business Administration Free Business Plan Template

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers several free business plan templates that can be used to inspire your own plan. Before you get started, you can decide what type of business plan you need — a traditional or lean start-up plan.

Then, you can review the format for both of those plans and view examples of what they might look like.

We love both of the SBA’s templates because of their versatility. You can choose between two options and use the existing content in the templates to flesh out your own plan. Plus, if needed, you can get a free business counselor to help you along the way.

Top Business Plan Examples

Here are some completed business plan samples to get an idea of how to customize a plan for your business. We’ve chosen different types of business plan ideas to expand your imagination. Some are extensive, while others are fairly simple.

Take a look.

1. LiveFlow

One of the major business expenses is marketing. How you handle your marketing reflects your company’s revenue. We included this business plan to show you how you can ensure your marketing team is aligned with your overall business plan to get results. The plan also shows you how to track even the smallest metrics of your campaigns, like ROI and payback periods instead of just focusing on big metrics like gross and revenue.

Fintech startup, LiveFlow, allows users to sync real-time data from its accounting services, payment platforms, and banks into custom reports. This eliminates the task of pulling reports together manually, saving teams time and helping automate workflows.

When it came to including marketing strategy in its business plan, LiveFlow created a separate marketing profit and loss statement (P&L) to track how well the company was doing with its marketing initiatives. This is a great approach, allowing businesses to focus on where their marketing dollars are making the most impact.

"Using this framework over a traditional marketing plan will help you set a profitable marketing strategy taking things like CAC, LTV, Payback period, and P&L into consideration," explains LiveFlow co-founder, Lasse Kalkar .

Having this information handy will enable you to build out your business plan’s marketing section with confidence. LiveFlow has shared the template here . You can test it for yourself.

2. Lula Body

Sometimes all you need is a solid mission statement and core values to guide you on how to go about everything. You do this by creating a business plan revolving around how to fulfill your statement best. For example, Patagonia is an eco-friendly company, so their plan discusses how to make the best environmentally friendly products without causing harm.

A good mission statement should not only resonate with consumers but should also serve as a core value compass for employees as well.

Outdoor clothing retailer, Patagonia, has one of the most compelling mission statements we’ve seen:

"Together, let’s prioritise purpose over profit and protect this wondrous planet, our only home."

It reels you in from the start, and the environmentally friendly theme continues throughout the rest of the statement.

This mission goes on to explain that they are out to "Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to protect nature."

Their mission statement is compelling and detailed, with each section outlining how they will accomplish their goal.

4. Vesta Home Automation

This is the kind of business plan you need when applying for business funds. It clearly illustrates the expected future of the company and how the business has been coming along over the years.

This executive summary for a smart home device startup is part of a business plan created by students at Mount Royal University . While it lacks some of the sleek visuals of the templates above, its executive summary does a great job of demonstrating how invested they are in the business.

Right away, they mention they’ve invested $200,000 into the company already, which shows investors they have skin in the game and aren’t just looking for someone else to foot the bill.

5. NALB Creative Center

This fictional business plan for an art supply store includes everything one might need in a business plan: an executive summary, a company summary, a list of services, a market analysis summary, and more. Due to its comprehensiveness, it’s an excellent example to follow if you’re opening a brick-and-mortar store and need to get external funding to start your business .

One of its most notable sections is its market analysis summary, which includes an overview of the population growth in the business’ target geographical area, as well as a breakdown of the types of potential customers they expect to welcome at the store. This sort of granular insight is essential for understanding and communicating your business’s growth potential. Plus, it lays a strong foundation for creating relevant and useful buyer personas .

It’s essential to keep this information up-to-date as your market and target buyer changes. For that reason, you should carry out market research as often as possible to ensure that you’re targeting the correct audience and sharing accurate information with your investors.

6. Curriculum Companion Suites (CSS)

If you’re looking for a SaaS business plan example, look no further than this business plan for a fictional educational software company called Curriculum Companion Suites. Like the business plan for the NALB Creative Center, it includes plenty of information for prospective investors and other key stakeholders in the business.

One of the most notable features of this business plan is the executive summary, which includes an overview of the product, market, and mission. The first two are essential for software companies because the product offering is so often at the forefront of the company’s strategy. Without that information being immediately available to investors and executives, then you risk writing an unfocused business plan.

It’s also essential to front-load your company’s mission if it explains your "Why?" In other words, why do you do what you do, and why should stakeholders care? This is an important section to include if you feel that your mission will drive interest in the business and its offerings.

7. Culina Sample Business Plan

Culina's sample business plan is an excellent example of how to lay out your business plan so that it flows naturally, engages readers, and provides the critical information investors and stakeholders need. You can also use this template as a guide while you're gathering important details. After looking at this sample, you'll have a better understanding of the data and research you need to do for your own business plan.

8. Plum Sample Business Plan

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

How to Write a Powerful Executive Summary [+4 Top Examples]

19 Best Sample Business Plans & Examples to Help You Write Your Own

What is a Business Plan? Definition, Tips, and Templates

Maximizing Your Social Media Strategy: The Top Aggregator Tools to Use

The Content Aggregator Guide for 2023

7 Gantt Chart Examples You'll Want to Copy [+ 5 Steps to Make One]

The 8 Best Free Flowchart Templates [+ Examples]

15 Best Screen Recorders to Use for Collaboration

The 25 Best Google Chrome Extensions for SEO

Professional Invoice Design: 28 Samples & Templates to Inspire You

2 Essential Templates For Starting Your Business

Technology Strategies for Business Plans

• Small Business
• Business Planning & Strategy
• Business Strategies
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Pinterest" aria-label="Share on Pinterest">
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Reddit" aria-label="Share on Reddit">
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Flipboard" aria-label="Share on Flipboard">

Relationships Between PEST and SWOT

Examples of project rationale, how to market a management consulting firm.

• Financial Justification Tools
• Standard Operating Procedures for a Business

Incorporating technology strategies into your business plan helps you to run a more competitive business. For example, you may realize that you need a certain piece of equipment to operate your business. Yet you may not immediately realize how it will affect your business financially in the long term. How you strategically use the Internet to market your business is another technology area that benefits from proactive analyzing. By addressing these areas in your business plan, you may experience less monetary surprises in your allocated budget.

Conduct Cost-Benefit Analyses

A Cost-Benefit Analysis is used to determine the payback or break-even point of any investment over a period of time. Technology continues to advance, and this fact alone makes it worthwhile to conduct a CBA on technology-based equipment and services before making a purchasing decision.

Run a CBA to show the purpose of technology equipment and services you plan to use in your business. List the upfront and operational annual costs. This will include the dollar estimated value of lost time due to unforeseen circumstances, such as down-time, disruptions and sick-time. The impact of internal control, security and privacy risks must be considered on both sides of the CBA. Next, assign a realistic cost estimate to the benefits to quantify the purchase’s annual beneficial value. Deduct the annual investment from the benefits. Three years and under are typical break-even points for technology-based equipment such as computers and printers. Some investments like building purchases may take longer to reach payback. The Small Business Administration provides a CBA worksheet.

Use Internet Resources

Place a general overview of how you plan to market your business online in your business plan. More details can be placed in your marketing strategy. Developing a website, selecting a domain name, and defining the products and services you will offer on the Internet are all parts of a good technology strategy for your business plan. Search engine registrations, social networking, directory listings and online advertisements are ways to market your business and solidify your online presence. These technology strategies, if mentioned in your business plan, can help you track your marketing effectiveness. Then, you can see more clearly where to make changes to remain competitive.

Plan a Technology Growth Strategy

A growth strategy for advanced technology can be internal, that is, company wide. For example, in the beginning of your business, you may have to wear many hats, including handling accounting tasks. Your two-year vision may be to improve the efficiency of business processes in accounting. After conducting a cost-benefit analysis, you could include in your business plan a goal to implement more efficient, streamlined accounting software and an employee.

An external technology growth strategy for your business plan may be more customer-focused. You may need to acquire the needed equipment and services to get benchmarked with your competitors. Alternately, you could decide to outsource certain advanced technology services. Your ideas for strategic growth in dealing with technology can be added to your business plan. Furthermore, implementing both internal and external growth technology strategies covered in your business plan can keep it from becoming stagnant.

• SBA: Cost/Benefit Analysis Template

Nina Nixon has more than 30 years of professional writing experience. She enjoys writing about business and technology. Her articles have appeared on Chron, eHow Business & Personal Finance, Techwalla, and other digital content publishing websites.

Related Articles

Technology implementation plans for businesses, how might a swot analysis help an organization plan a budget, what financial problems may affect strategic planning, how to do a swot analysis, purpose of corporate planning, factors to consider in marketing, difference between lan and usb internet connections, the advantages of leasing copiers, strategic & financial performance implications, most popular.

• 1 Technology Implementation Plans for Businesses
• 2 How Might a SWOT Analysis Help an Organization Plan a Budget?
• 3 What Financial Problems May Affect Strategic Planning?
• 4 How to Do a SWOT Analysis

Don't bother with copy and paste.

Get this complete sample business plan as a free text document.

Information Technology Business Plan

Start your own information technology business plan

Information Management Hawaii

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

By focusing on its strengths, its key customers, and the underlying values they need, Information Management Hawai’i, Inc. (IMH) will increase sales steadily in its first three years, while also maintaining the gross margin on sales, with a focus on cash management and working capital.

This business plan leads the way. It renews our vision and strategic focus: adding value to our target market segments, and reinforcing our ties with businesses in our local markets. It also provides the step-by-step plan for improving our sales, gross margin, and profitability.

This plan includes this summary, chapters on the company, products and services, market focus, action plans and forecasts, management team, and the financial plan.

1.1 Objectives

1. Achieve healthy earnings (EBIT) in the first year of operation.

2. Maintain a midrange gross margin throughout the entire operation.

3. Maintain just-in-time (JIT) inventory levels, or 11 turns per year.

4. Increase sales modestly but steadily in the second and third years.

1.2 Mission

To provide the Hawai’i business community with quality brand-name Information Technology business information solutions, reliable and professional Technical Support, and unparalleled Customer Service through the application of the principles of Kina`ole and heartfelt aloha, and to earn a fair profit for our employee-owners and stakeholders by embracing sound, ethical business practices.

1.3 Keys to Success

The keys to our success are:

• Customer Satisfaction Goals vs. Results

Start your own business plan

Your business plan can look as polished and professional as this sample plan. It's fast and easy, with LivePlan.

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

Flash Sale. 40% Off the #1 rated business plan builder

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Sample Technology Business Plan

Wanda Halpert prepared a business plan for a technology company. You may see a sample in the link below.

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2023

Business Plan for Investors

• Bank/SBA Business Plan
• Strategic/Operational Business Plan
• L1 Visa Business Plan
• E1 Treaty Trader Visa Business Plan
• E2 Treaty Investor Visa Business Plan
• EB-1 Business Plan
• EB-2 NIW Business Plan
• EB-5 Business Plan
• Innovator Founder Visa Business Plan
• Start-Up Visa Business Plan
• Expansion Worker Visa Business Plan
• Manitoba MPNP Visa Business Plan
• Nova Scotia NSNP Visa Business Plan
• British Columbia BC PNP Visa Business Plan
• Self-Employed Visa Business Plan
• OINP Entrepreneur Stream Business Plan
• LMIA Owner Operator Business Plan
• ICT Work Permit Business Plan
• LMIA Mobility Program – C11 Entrepreneur Business Plan
• USMCA (ex-NAFTA) Business Plan
• Franchise Business Plan
• Landlord business plan
• Nonprofit Start-Up Business Plan
• USDA Business Plan
• Cannabis business plan
• Ecommerce business plan
• Online boutique business plan
• Mobile application business plan
• Daycare business plan
• Restaurant business plan
• Food delivery business plan
• Real estate business plan
• Business Continuity Plan
• Buy Side Due Diligence Services
• ICO whitepaper
• ICO consulting services
• Confidential Information Memorandum
• Private Placement Memorandum
• Feasibility study
• How it works
• Business Plan Examples

Technology Business Plan Template

AUG.16, 2016

Technology business plan for starting your own business

If there is one field that cannot go out of business within the foreseeable future, that is the technology business. This business has been growing vastly since the start of this century. There are more technology businesses out there than you can count, yet there is a capacity for new entrants in this field. We have made this business plan for technology company to tell you in sheer detail how to start a information technology company.

This business plan is based on the real-life example of MacArthur Tech Services. Let’s see how this business plan for investors can help you make money.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

MacArthur Tech Services will be a licensed and register tech services provider in Detroit. It will be owned by Maximilien MacArthur who is a former executive from Silicon Valley and has worked for many tech startups. This business plan for tech startup will help you learn from MacArthur’s experience.

2.2 Management of Technology Company

While explaining how to start a business solutions company, the first important thing to learn is the management of the company. You need to know the managemental hierarchy of the company for technology business setting up. This can also be used as a business plan for bank to get debt financing for your startup.

The management of MacArthur Tech Services will mainly be handled by MacArthur himself. He will hire experts of the field to help him with the operations.

2.3 Customers of Technology Company

As a semiconductor business plan is a vast field, we need to determine what customers would we be dealing. This includes the following:

• Domestic Customers

These customers will include the people who:

• Want to get their personal computers fixed.
• Want home-based tech and connectivity solutions.
• Want consultancy for domestic tech setups.
• Business Clients

These will be slightly bigger than the domestic customers and will include:

• Businesses looking for automation.
• Small businesses looking for digital bookkeeping and inventory management.
• Businesses looking for better connectivity solutions.

These customers will need:

• Campus management solutions.
• Labs and Library computer setups.
• Corporate Clients

These will be the biggest clients needing corporate-grade computing and tech solutions.

2.4 Business Target

The target will be to become the leading provider of tech services in all of North America.

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

The owner of MacArthur Tech Services, Maximilien MacArthur is an expert of the field. He started his career with a repair shop and that makes and excellent computer repair business plan today. He then moved to the Silicon Valley where he made a information technology business plan example by starting a number of companies and making them successful.

3.2 Why the Technology Company is being started

MacArthur has an extensive knowledge of the field and has set many information technology business continuity plan example. He has helped a number of tech companies successful and is now planning to make a company of his own. He is passionate about it and knows where there is a gap in this business and how he can make a name in this field.

3.3 How the Technology Company will be started

Step1: Planning

The next thing we need to cover in this technology business plan sample is the planning to start the business. No business plan for tech company can be complete without that.

We need to plan everything from the number of employees and starting costs for the business to the perspective customers.

Step2: Branding

People trust the companies that have established brand names. In order to make it successful, our tech company will also establish a strong brand name. An impressive brand logo, moto, and color scheme will be chosen to make this happen.

Step3: Establish Your Office

MacArthur Tech Services will have an office in downtown Detroit from where all the services of the company will be extended to the customers.

Step4: Establish a Web Presence

No successful technology business plan can be complete without web presence. An extensive website will be launched for customers to interact with MacArthur Tech services.

Step5: Promote and Market

All possible ways of communication will be used to make sure that MacArthur Tech Services is known in all of Detroit and Michigan.

The next thing we need to address in this technology business plan template are the services we will be providing. As Technology is a vast field and no single company can reasonably cover all aspects of the industry, we’ll offer limited services in this information technology startup business plan and will try to be the best at them.

The main services provided by MacArthur Tech Services will include:

• Connectivity Solutions

This area of the services provided by MacArthur will include:

• Connectivity solutions for domestic clients.
• Connectivity solutions for offices and businesses.
• Connectivity solutions for corporate clients.
• Tech Equipment Supply

This segment of MacArthur’s services will include the supply of:

• Projectors.
• Tech Support Services

MacArthur Tech Services will offer support services for clients. These will include support for:

• Any major fault in tech setups.
• Break down of network or mainframes in offices.
• Personal and domestic tech support.

MacArthur Tech Services will maintain a 247 support helpline to provide support to people facing any tech problems.

• Tech Consultancy

For the clients that do not know where to start with tech, we’ll be giving tech consultancy services.

Marketing Analysis of Technology Business

Excellent work.

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

If you want to know how to write a business plan for a tech startup, the most important thing for that is the marketing analysis of the technical business plan sample. We are performing the marketing analysis of thebusiness plan technology description to make things easier for you. It is paramount to have an extensive knowledge of thetechnology business solutions if we want the business to be successful.

5.1 Market Trends

The tech market is one of the most fast-growing ones all over the globe. Most of the top companies and richest people in the world right now are associated with this field. We have seen a lot of tech companies come forth and be successful in this field.

The field is a bit saturated but there is always place for companies that come with the intention of providing exalted services in this industry.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

The customers of our Tech business will be divided in the following market segments. Each segment will need its own specialized set of services.

5.2.1 Domestic Individual Customers

These will be the lowest paying customers but with the largest values. Anyone who needs an advice on what laptop to buy to anyone looking for someone to setup their workstation will fall into this category. We will provide all the services from the installation of Windows to replacing broken displays. Our focus will be to make repeat customers here.

5.2.2 Small Large Businesses

The businesses needing services for their tech setup will also be our customers. We will provide them with the services including automation, bookkeeping, inventory management, connectivity, and all other services that they might need.

5.2.3 Corporate Clients

This will be the market segment for us that will make the bulk of our income. They will be in a lesser number but will pay the premium prices. We will offer all the services from cloud computing to blockchain services and all other tech-related services a corporation might need.

5.2.4 Nonprofits

Lastly, we will offer discounted services to the nonprofit segment of the business to play our role in community development.

5.3 Business Target

• To become the leader in tech services in all of North America within 5 years.
• To provide impeccable tech services to our clients.
• To expand to at least 3 more states by the end of year 1.
• To start making an annual €368,000 in profit by the end of year 3.

5.4 Product Pricing

We will keep the product prices lower than the market average at the start. This will be done to attract the customers and once we have enough of them, we will move on to increase the prices.

Marketing Strategy

Now that we know the market we are going to enter, the next thing we need is a business plan in marketing to make sure we get our business objectives. As the Tech market is a saturated one, marketing is one of the decisive factors that can make any information technology business proposal template a success.

We need to be objective here and use any competitive leverage that we have in order for us to be successful and we’ll spare no expense in making sure that our technology startup company is successful.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• The thing that will give us an edge on the competitors will be the extensive experience of the owner Mr. MacArthur.
• We will provide top-notch service and only the best of the best equipment to earn permanent recurring clients.
• We will provide a 247 support helpline, something that can make a huge difference and something not much of the competitors have.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We’ll target the domestic, business, and corporate market at once to ensure that we get the best sales margin.
• We’ll provide a one-year warranty on all our products and services to make people rely on us and buy from us.
• Like all the best biotech business plans , we will offer huge discounts for the first two months.

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan

The next thing needed for writing a business plan for a tech startup is the planning of the staff needed to efficiently run the company. This business plan for a web hosting and other tech services needs a number of skilled people to help it run properly. As the main focus of this business is to provide technical support and services, these employees will be the most valuable asset of the business.

7.1 Company Staff

• Maximilien MacArthur will be the owner and the CEO.
• 1 General Manager.
• 1 Operations Manager.
• 1 Liaison Manager.
• 5 Technicians.
• 2 Engineers.
• 5 Support Agents.
• 2 Drivers for the support Team.
• 2 Office Boys.
• 1 Receptionist.
• 1 Accountant.

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

This last part of this business plan information technology company is the financial planning of the business. The recipe for a successful business is to decrease the expenses and increase the income of the setup. To make this happen, we have to have a clear idea of the expenses for starting and running the business. Let’s see a tentative budget planning for a technology business .

Here is a list of the expenditure for starting the business and running it until it starts generating enough revenue to fund itself and return profit.

• The cost of setting up the office.
• The cost of setting up an online presence.
• The cost of advertisement of the business.
• The salaries of the staff for the starting year.
• The cost of overheads included in running the business.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 break-even analysis.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

Download technology business plan sample in pdf

Professional OGS capital writers specialized also in themes such as solid semiconductor business plan , best biotech business plan , business plan for PC fix , technology business plan , developing a business plan for tech , web hosting services business plan and many others.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than €1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

Add comment

E-mail is already registered on the site. Please use the Login form or enter another .

You entered an incorrect username or password

Comments (0)

mentioned in the press:

Search the site:

OGScapital website is not supported for your current browser. Please use:

Mobile Menu Overlay

The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

FACT SHEET: President   Biden Issues Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence

Today, President Biden is issuing a landmark Executive Order to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The Executive Order establishes new standards for AI safety and security, protects Americans’ privacy, advances equity and civil rights, stands up for consumers and workers, promotes innovation and competition, advances American leadership around the world, and more. As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive strategy for responsible innovation, the Executive Order builds on previous actions the President has taken, including work that led to voluntary commitments from 15 leading companies to drive safe, secure, and trustworthy development of AI. The Executive Order directs the following actions: New Standards for AI Safety and Security

As AI’s capabilities grow, so do its implications for Americans’ safety and security.  With this Executive Order, the  President directs the  most sweeping  actions  ever taken  to protect Americans from  the potential  risks  of  AI  systems :

• Require that developers of the most powerful AI systems share their safety test results and other critical information with the U.S. government.  In accordance with the Defense Production Act, the Order will require that companies developing any foundation model that poses a serious risk to national security, national economic security, or national public health and safety must notify the federal government when training the model, and must share the results of all red-team safety tests. These measures will ensure AI systems are safe, secure, and trustworthy before companies make them public. 
• Develop standards, tools, and tests to help ensure that AI systems are safe, secure, and trustworthy.  The National Institute of Standards and Technology will set the rigorous standards for extensive red-team testing to ensure safety before public release. The Department of Homeland Security will apply those standards to critical infrastructure sectors and establish the AI Safety and Security Board. The Departments of Energy and Homeland Security will also address AI systems’ threats to critical infrastructure, as well as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and cybersecurity risks. Together, these are the most significant actions ever taken by any government to advance the field of AI safety.
• Protect against the risks of using AI to engineer dangerous biological materials  by developing strong new standards for biological synthesis screening. Agencies that fund life-science projects will establish these standards as a condition of federal funding, creating powerful incentives to ensure appropriate screening and manage risks potentially made worse by AI.
• Protect Americans from AI-enabled fraud and deception by establishing standards and best practices for detecting AI-generated content and authenticating official content . The Department of Commerce will develop guidance for content authentication and watermarking to clearly label AI-generated content. Federal agencies will use these tools to make it easy for Americans to know that the communications they receive from their government are authentic—and set an example for the private sector and governments around the world.
• Establish an advanced cybersecurity program to develop AI tools to find and fix vulnerabilities in critical software,  building on the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing AI Cyber Challenge. Together, these efforts will harness AI’s potentially game-changing cyber capabilities to make software and networks more secure.
• Order the development of a National Security Memorandum that directs further actions on AI and security,  to be developed by the National Security Council and White House Chief of Staff. This document will ensure that the United States military and intelligence community use AI safely, ethically, and effectively in their missions, and will direct actions to counter adversaries’ military use of AI.

Protecting Americans’ Privacy

Without safeguards, AI can put Americans’ privacy further at risk. AI not only makes it easier to extract, identify, and exploit personal data, but it also heightens incentives to do so because companies use data to train AI systems.  To better protect Americans’ privacy, including from the risks posed by AI, the President calls on Congress to pass bipartisan data privacy legislation to protect all Americans, especially kids, and directs the following actions:

• Protect Americans’ privacy by prioritizing federal support for accelerating the development and use of privacy-preserving techniques— including ones that use cutting-edge AI and that let AI systems be trained while preserving the privacy of the training data.  
• Strengthen privacy-preserving research   and technologies,  such as cryptographic tools that preserve individuals’ privacy, by funding a Research Coordination Network to advance rapid breakthroughs and development. The National Science Foundation will also work with this network to promote the adoption of leading-edge privacy-preserving technologies by federal agencies.
• Evaluate how agencies collect and use commercially available information —including information they procure from data brokers—and  strengthen privacy guidance for federal agencies  to account for AI risks. This work will focus in particular on commercially available information containing personally identifiable data.
• Develop guidelines for federal agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of privacy-preserving techniques,  including those used in AI systems. These guidelines will advance agency efforts to protect Americans’ data.

Advancing Equity and Civil Rights

Irresponsible uses of AI can lead to and deepen discrimination, bias, and other abuses in justice, healthcare, and housing. The Biden-Harris Administration has already taken action by publishing the  Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights  and issuing an  Executive Order directing agencies to combat algorithmic discrimination , while enforcing existing authorities to protect people’s rights and safety.  To ensure that AI advances equity and civil rights, the President directs the following additional actions:

• Provide clear guidance to landlords, Federal benefits programs, and federal contractors  to keep AI algorithms from being used to exacerbate discrimination.
• Address algorithmic discrimination  through training, technical assistance, and coordination between the Department of Justice and Federal civil rights offices on best practices for investigating and prosecuting civil rights violations related to AI.
• Ensure fairness throughout the criminal justice system  by developing best practices on the use of AI in sentencing, parole and probation, pretrial release and detention, risk assessments, surveillance, crime forecasting and predictive policing, and forensic analysis.

Standing Up for Consumers, Patients, and Students

AI can bring real benefits to consumers—for example, by making products better, cheaper, and more widely available. But AI also raises the risk of injuring, misleading, or otherwise harming Americans.  To protect consumers while ensuring that AI can make Americans better off, the President directs the following actions:

• Advance the responsible use of AI  in healthcare and the development of affordable and life-saving drugs. The Department of Health and Human Services will also establish a safety program to receive reports of—and act to remedy – harms or unsafe healthcare practices involving AI. 
• Shape AI’s potential to transform education  by creating resources to support educators deploying AI-enabled educational tools, such as personalized tutoring in schools.

Supporting Workers

AI is changing America’s jobs and workplaces, offering both the promise of improved productivity but also the dangers of increased workplace surveillance, bias, and job displacement.  To mitigate these risks, support workers’ ability to bargain collectively, and invest in workforce training and development that is accessible to all, the President directs the following actions:

• Develop principles and best practices to mitigate the harms and maximize the benefits of AI for workers  by addressing job displacement; labor standards; workplace equity, health, and safety; and data collection. These principles and best practices will benefit workers by providing guidance to prevent employers from undercompensating workers, evaluating job applications unfairly, or impinging on workers’ ability to organize.
• Produce a report on AI’s potential labor-market impacts , and  study and identify options for strengthening federal support for workers facing labor disruptions , including from AI.

Promoting Innovation and Competition

America already leads in AI innovation—more AI startups raised first-time capital in the United States last year than in the next seven countries combined.  The Executive Order ensures that we continue to lead the way in innovation and competition through the following actions:

• Catalyze AI research across the United States  through a pilot of the National AI Research Resource—a tool that will provide AI researchers and students access to key AI resources and data—and expanded grants for AI research in vital areas like healthcare and climate change.
• Promote a fair, open, and competitive AI ecosystem  by providing small developers and entrepreneurs access to technical assistance and resources, helping small businesses commercialize AI breakthroughs, and encouraging the Federal Trade Commission to exercise its authorities.
• Use existing authorities to expand the ability of highly skilled immigrants and nonimmigrants with expertise in critical areas to study, stay, and work in the United States  by modernizing and streamlining visa criteria, interviews, and reviews.

Advancing American Leadership Abroad

AI’s challenges and opportunities are global.  The Biden-Harris Administration will continue working with other nations to support safe, secure, and trustworthy deployment and use of AI worldwide. To that end, the President directs the following actions:

• Expand bilateral, multilateral, and multistakeholder engagements to collaborate on AI . The State Department, in collaboration, with the Commerce Department will lead an effort to establish robust international frameworks for harnessing AI’s benefits and managing its risks and ensuring safety. In addition, this week, Vice President Harris will speak at the UK Summit on AI Safety, hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
• Accelerate development and implementation of vital AI standards  with international partners and in standards organizations, ensuring that the technology is safe, secure, trustworthy, and interoperable.
• Promote the safe, responsible, and rights-affirming development and deployment of AI abroad to solve global challenges,  such as advancing sustainable development and mitigating dangers to critical infrastructure.

Ensuring Responsible and Effective Government Use of AI

AI can help government deliver better results for the American people. It can expand agencies’ capacity to regulate, govern, and disburse benefits, and it can cut costs and enhance the security of government systems. However, use of AI can pose risks, such as discrimination and unsafe decisions.  To ensure the responsible government deployment of AI and modernize federal AI infrastructure, the President directs the following actions:

• Issue guidance for agencies’ use of AI,  including clear standards to protect rights and safety, improve AI procurement, and strengthen AI deployment.  
• Help agencies acquire specified AI products and services  faster, more cheaply, and more effectively through more rapid and efficient contracting.
• Accelerate the rapid hiring of AI professionals  as part of a government-wide AI talent surge led by the Office of Personnel Management, U.S. Digital Service, U.S. Digital Corps, and Presidential Innovation Fellowship. Agencies will provide AI training for employees at all levels in relevant fields.

As we advance this agenda at home, the Administration will work with allies and partners abroad on a strong international framework to govern the development and use of AI. The Administration has already consulted widely on AI governance frameworks over the past several months—engaging with Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, the UAE, and the UK. The actions taken today support and complement Japan’s leadership of the G-7 Hiroshima Process, the UK Summit on AI Safety, India’s leadership as Chair of the Global Partnership on AI, and ongoing discussions at the United Nations. The actions that President Biden directed today are vital steps forward in the U.S.’s approach on safe, secure, and trustworthy AI. More action will be required, and the Administration will continue to work with Congress to pursue bipartisan legislation to help America lead the way in responsible innovation. For more on the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to advance AI, and for opportunities to join the Federal AI workforce, visit AI.gov .

Stay Connected

We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better.

Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden.